Aspirator

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an aspirator for aspirating materials to be removed within the eyeball. The materials are an infusion or the viterous body. 
     A conventional aspirator permits no easy provision of an arbitrary pressure. In accordance with the present invention, a pressure adjusting unit (90) is disposed to connect an accommodating unit (100) to the air through an opening (96) of a variable size. 
     For such a conventional aspirator, it is required that aspiration should be interrupted as a bottle is full with the removed materials. For the present invention, there are provided a first accommodating unit (2100), a second accommodating unit (2101) and a third accommodating unit (2102). The third accommodating unit (2102) has a capacity larger than each of the first and second accommodating units (2100, 2101). These accommodating units are connected. 
     Furthermore, such a conventional aspirator may not ensure a safety in surgery. In accordance with the present invention, a flexible passage portion (3020) is disposed in the main body (3005) of the aspirator in such a manner that the passage portion (3020) is opened or closed by operation of a materials-passage opening/closing unit (3003).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an aspirator to be used for ophthalmicsurgery of the vitreous body and a cataract.

2. The Related Prior Art

(1) An aspirator for ophthalmic surgery removes a translucent portion ofthe vitreous body in the eyeball by suction. The aspirator may include,for example, one bottle. The bottle is provided with two passages. Oneof the passages is connected to a vacuum pump and the other communicateswith the open air. Control of opening or closing the two passages by thevacuum pump can adjust the pressure in the bottle and the translucentportion of the vitreous body is sucked into the bottle by means ofvacuum in the bottle.

It is to be noted, however, that control apparatus becomes complicatedwhen control over the opening o closing of the two passages is berequired.

(2) An aspirator (M) for surgery is provided with two bottles, largerand smaller, and the two bottles are connected to each other through apipe. The pipe is further provided at its intermediate portion with abranch pipe which, in turn, is connected to a surgical apparatus andwhich is further provided with a valve for controlling the flow rate ofmaterials to be aspirated and sucked through the pipe.

Another aspirator (N) for ophthalmic surgery is provided with one bottlewhich, in turn, is fitted with a conduit for supplying vacuum and with aconduit for communicating the pressure in the bottle with ambient air. Avalve is mounted on each of the conduits and the pressure in the bottleis adjusted to a predetermined pressure by controlling each of thevalves.

It is to be noted, however, that the former aspirator (M) must interruptaspiration of materials to be aspirated and sucked during the period oftime when the aspirated materials stored in the smaller bottle are to betransferred to the larger bottle. This leads to frequent interruptionsin the surgery.

For the latter aspirator (N), only one bottle is used so that the timerequired to each the predetermined pressure necessary for aspirationvaries with the quantity of the sucked materials stored in the bottle.For instance, when a bottle is large in volume and empty, the timerequired for aspiration becomes too long.

(3) Furthermore, conveyance of the sucked materials through a flexiblepassage portion in an aspirating cassette, when the aspirator having amaterials-passage opening/closing unit of this type is suspended, bypressing a portion of the materials-passage opening/closing unit in theaspirator onto the flexible passage portion in response to a signal.Conveyance of the aspirated materials through the passage portions isresumed by returning the portion of the materials-passageopening/closing unit to its original by discontinuing the pressing ontothe passage portion.

It is, however, to be noted that the above-mentioned aspirator is suchthat the force for squeezing the passage portion by means of the portionof the materials-passage opening/closing unit is also applied to theaspirating cassette when conveying the aspirated materials through theflexible passage portion, in other words, upon or during pressing theportion of the materials-passage opening/closing unit onto theaspirating cassette.

In this case, the aspirating cassette may be inclined by the forceapplied, thus breaking the connection of an accommodating unit in theaspirating cassette with a vacuum controlling unit in the main body ofthe aspirator itself or causing the aspirating cassette to come off fromthe main body of the aspirator. This may incur the risk of interferingwith the surgery and endangers the safety of the surgery.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

(1) The present invention has as an object to provide an aspirator inwhich pressure can be readily adjusted by a simple procedure in order toproduce a predetermined pressure.

More specifically, the present invention may be constituted, forexample, by the following structure as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

An aspirating unit 30 aspirates materials 34 to be removed.

An accommodating unit 100 collects materials 34 aspirated by theaspirating unit 30.

A pressure reducing unit 130 reduces the pressure of the accommodatingunit 100 to a constant vacuum pressure.

A pressure detecting unit 111 detects the pressure in the accommodatingunit 100.

A pressure adjusting unit 90 vents the accommodating unit 100 to theambient air through an opening 96 of a variable size.

A pressure controlling unit 180 controls the pressure in theaccommodating unit 100 by adjusting the size of the opening 96 of thepressure adjusting unit 90 on the basis of the pressure detected by thepressure detecting unit 111.

The pressure within the accommodating unit 100 is adjusted bycommunicating the inside of the accommodating unit 100 with the ambientair by changing the size of the opening 96. This allows a freeadjustment of the pressure within the accommodating unit 100.

Another example will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

The aspirating unit 30 aspirates materials 34 to be removed.

A first accommodating unit 600 receives the materials 34 aspirated bythe aspirating unit 30.

A second accommodating unit 601 is connected to the first accommodatingunit 600 and accommodates the aspirated materials 34 which have beentransferred from the first accommodating unit 600.

A pressure reducing unit 630 is connected to the first accommodatingunit 600 and the second accommodating unit 601 to reduce the pressurethereof at a constant vacuum pressure.

A pressure detecting unit 611 detects the pressure of the firstaccommodating unit 600.

A pressure adjusting unit 590 communicates the first accommodating unit600 with the ambient air through an opening 596 with a variable size.

A pressure controlling unit 680 controls the pressure within the firstaccommodating unit 600 at a constant pressure by adjusting the size ofthe opening 596 of the pressure adjusting unit 590 on the basis of thepressure detected by the pressure detecting unit 611.

A further example will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13.

An accommodating unit 30 aspirates materials 34 to be removed bysuction.

A first accommodating unit 1100 accommodates the materials 34 aspiratedby the aspirating unit 30.

A second accommodating unit 1102 to connected to the first accommodatingunit 1100 and accommodates the materials 34 which have been transferredfrom the first accommodating unit 1100.

A pressure reducing unit 1130 reduces the pressure within the firstaccommodating unit 1100 to maintain a constant vacuum pressure.

A pressure detecting unit 1111 detects a pressure within the firstaccommodating unit 1100.

A pressure adjusting unit 1090 connects the first accommodating unit1100 to the ambient air through an opening 1096 with a variable size.

A pressure controlling unit 1180 adjusts the pressure of the firstaccommodating unit 1100 to a given pressure by adjusting the size of theopening 1096 of the pressure adjusting unit 1090 on the basis of thepressure detected by the pressure detecting unit 1111.

(2) The present invention also has an object to provide an aspiratorcapable of bringing pressure to a predetermined level required foraspiration within a constantly short period of time without interruptionof aspiration of materials to be removed.

The present invention is described with reference to FIG. 15 ascomprising an aspirating unit 2001 which aspirates materials 2034 to beremoved by means of vacuum.

A first accommodating unit 2100 accommodates the materials 2034 to beremoved while a second accommodating unit 2101 accommodates thematerials 2034 in the same manner as the first accommodating unit 2100.

A third accommodating unit 2102 has a capacity larger than each of thefirst and second accommodating units 2100 and 2101, respectively, andaccommodates the materials 2034 to be removed.

An aspirating mouth portion 2030 aspirates and sucks the materials 2034to be removed.

A first passage 2008 leads the materials 2034 from the aspirating mouthportion 2030 to the first accommodating unit 2100.

A first pressure adjusting unit 2070 adjusts the pressure within thefirst accommodating unit 2100.

A second pressure adjusting unit 2340 adjusts the pressure within thesecond accommodating unit 2101 (through an air reservoir 2300, forexample).

A second passage 2088 is disposed separately from the first passage 2008and leads the materials 2034 within the first accommodating unit 2100 tothe second accommodating unit 2101.

A first valve 2210 is disposed on the second passage 2088 and opens orcloses the passage of materials 2034 from the second accommodating unit2101 to a third accommodating unit 2101.

A third passage 2188 is disposed separately from the second passage 2088and leads the materials 2034 within the second accommodating unit 2101to the third accommodating unit 2102. A second valve 2220 is disposed inthe third passage 2188 and opens or closes the passage of the materials2034 through the third passage 2188.

The first pressure adjusting unit 2070 reduces the pressure within thefirst accommodating unit 2100, thus leading the materials 2034 from theaspirating mouth portion 2030 through the first passage 2008 to thefirst accommodating unit 2100. The second pressure adjusting unit 2340adjusts the pressure within the second accommodating unit 2101 (throughthe air reservoir 2300) to become equal to or lower than that within thefirst accommodating unit 2100, thus controlling the first valve 2210 andleading the materials 2034 to the second accommodating unit 2101 throughthe second passage 2088.

Furthermore, the pressure within the second accommodating unit 2101 ismade equal to or higher than that within the third accommodating unit2102 by means of the second pressure adjusting unit 2340 (through theair reservoir 2300) by closing the first valve 2210, thus controllingthe second valve 2220 and leading the materials 2034 to the thirdaccommodating unit 2102 through the third passage 2188.

A preferred embodiment will be described.

The first accommodating unit 2100 is provided with a first accommodatinglevel detecting unit 2112 for detecting a predetermined level A for thematerials 2034 accommodating unit 2100 and with a second accommodationlevel detecting unit 2113 for detecting a predetermined level B of theremoved materials 2034.

When the first accommodation level detecting unit 2112 has detected thestate in which the materials are held in a large amount in the firstaccommodating unit, the first valve 2210 is opened thus allowing thematerials within the first accommodating unit 2100 to be led to thesecond accommodating unit 2101 through the second passage 2088. When thesecond accommodation level detecting unit 2113 has detected the state inwhich the materials are reduced to level B, the first valve 2210 isclosed.

The first pressure adjusting unit 2070 contains a first pressuredetector 2111 capable of detecting the pressure within the firstaccommodating unit 2100. If the first pressure detector 2111 detectsthat the pressure within the first accommodating unit 2100 is elevatedto a level higher than a predetermined pressure, the pressure to besupplied by the first pressure adjusting unit 2070 is reduced to therebyreduce the pressure within the first accommodating unit 2100. If itdetects a pressure within the first accommodating unit 2100 lower thanthe predetermined pressure, the pressure to be supplied by the firstpressure adjusting unit 2070 is elevated and then supplied to the firstaccommodating unit 2100. This permits the pressure within the firstaccommodating unit 2100 to be kept at a substantially constant level.

The second pressure adjusting unit 2340 contains a second pressuredetector 2315 for detecting the pressure within the second accommodatingunit 2101. When the second pressure detector 2315 has detected apressure within the second accommodating unit 2101 higher than apredetermined pressure, on the one hand, the pressure to be supplied bythe second pressure adjusting unit 2340 is reduced to thereby reduce thepressure within the second accommodating unit 2101. When it has detecteda pressure level within the second accommodating unit 2101 lower thanthe predetermined pressure, pressure to be fed by the second pressureadjusting unit 2340 is elevated and then supplied to the secondaccommodating unit 2101. This enables the pressure within the secondaccommodating unit 2101 to be kept at a substantially constant level.

The pressures only within the first and second accommodating units 2100and 2101 with smaller volumes, respectively, are maintained at thepredetermined pressures.

This construction permits aspiration of the materials 2034 to becontinued without interruption of surgery during a transferral of thematerials 2034 from the first accommodating unit 2100 to the secondaccommodating unit 2101 as well as from the second accommodating unit tothe third accommodating unit 2102.

(3) Furthermore, the present invention has the object to provide anaspirator in which the aspirating container unit is not inclined ordetached from the main body of the aspirator due to a force to theaspirating container unit by means of operation of the materials-passageopening/closing unit.

The present invention is constituted by the following construction.

The present invention will be described with reference to Example 1 inFIG. 19.

An aspirator 3001 is a device that aspirates materials 3021 to beremoved from the eyeball 3030 by means of vacuum and holds it in anaccommodating unit 3022. The aspirator 3001 includes at least a vacuumcontrolling unit 3002, a main housing 3005 for the aspirator, anaspirating container unit (an aspirating cassette 3004) mounteddetachably on the main housing 3005, and a materials-passageopening/closing unit 3003.

The aspirating cassette 3004 includes an aspirating mouth portion 3032for aspirating and sucking materials 3021 to be removed, one or pluralaccommodating units (one bottle 3022) for accommodating the aspiratedmaterials 3021, and a flexible passage portion (a flexible tube 3020)interconnected between the aspirating mouth portion 3032 and the bottle3022 for transferring the materials 3021.

When the materials-passage opening/closing unit 3003 is releasedtransferal of the materials 3021 in the flexible tube 3020 can beachieved without any force applied to the aspirating cassette 3004.

In the embodiment of FIG. 21, flexible tubes 3221 and 3222 are connectedto bottles 3200, 3201, and 3202. Aspirating mouth portion 3223 and thebottle 3200 are connected by the flexible tube 3220.

As shown in FIG. 19, no force is applied to the aspirating cassette 3004upon opening or closing the flexible tube 3020 by means of thematerials-passage opening/closing unit 3003, thereby incurring n risk ofthe aspirating cassette being disconnected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a representation showing the aspirator and other units inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the aspirator of FIG. 1 according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a control system for the first embodiment ofFIG. 2.

FIGS. 4 to 9 are views showing Examples 2 to 6, respectively.

FIG. 10 is a view showing Example 7.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a control system of Example 7.

FIG. 12 is a view showing Example 8.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a control system for Example 8.

FIG. 14 is a view showing a vitreous body surgery device equipped withthe aspirator according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a view showing Example 9 according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a control system.

FIG. 17 is a view showing Example 10.

FIG. 18 is a view showing a variation of a level detecting unit.

FIG. 19 is a view showing Example 11 according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a view showing the flexible tube of Example 11 in a closedstate.

FIG. 21 is a view showing Example 12 according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Example 1

FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the aspirator according to thepresent invention. The aspirator 1 according to the present invention ismounted in a surgery apparatus for the vitreous body as one example.

In the surgery of the vitreous body, an unclear portion of the vitreousbody 14 in a gel form (referred to herein as "removed material 34" andrelated terms) between the lens a and the retina b is removed by suctionand replaced by a clear liquid. This enables light to reach the retina bthrough the lens a, thus improving sight.

Referring to FIG. 1, there are shown an aspirator 1, a cutter drivingunit 2, a light source unit 3, an infusion bottle 4, a cutter 5 with asuction mechanism, a light guide 6, and an infusion plug 7.

The cutter 5 contains an insert portion 5a for insertion through thesclera 15 of the eyeball 13. At a tip portion of the insert portion 5ais provided an aspirating mouth portion 30. The cutter 5 is designed soas to cut the materials 34 which enter aspirating mouth portion 30 andthe cut materials 34 are sucked into the aspirator 1 through the insideof the insert portion 5a and a first passage 8.

To the cutter driving unit 2 is connected a tube 9 for compressed air.Through the tube 9 is fed compressed air to the cutter 5 and thecompressed air operates the cutter 5 to cut the materials 34. The lightsource unit 3 emits light to the light guide 6 through an optical fiber11. A tip portion of the light guide 6 is inserted into the eyeball 13and the light guide 6 can apply light around the aspirating mouthportion 30.

The infusion bottle 4 accommodates an infusion. The infusion is suppliedto the inside of the eyeball 13 through an infusion tube 12 and theinfusion plug 7. The infusion fills in the eyeball 13 in order toreplace the removed materials 3 which have been cut and removed bysuction, thereby recovering sight.

Aspirator 1

The aspirator 1 will be described more in detail with reference to FIGS.2 and 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the aspirator 1 is a device to aspirate the removedmaterials 34 within the eyeball 13 by means of a negative pressure.

Accommodating Unit 100

The aspirator 1 contains an accommodating unit 100 in a bottle form. Theaccommodating unit 100 holds the removed materials 34.

The aspirating mouth portion 30 of the cutter 5 communicates with thefirst passage 8 and the first passage 8 extends so as to pass throughthe top lid of the first accommodating unit 100 to reach the insidethereof.

The first accommodating unit 100 is provided with an accommodation statedetector 112 such as a liquid level detector. The accommodation statedetector 112 detects the liquid level of the removed materials 34 as itcomes to a position indicated by "A".

Pressure Reducing Unit 130

The pressure reducing unit 130 maintains the inside of the accommodatingunit 100 always at a constant vacuum pressure. The pressure reducingunit 130 contains a vacuum pump 135 and a passage 136. The vacuum pump135 communicates with the accommodating unit 100 through the passage136.

Pressure Detecting Unit 111

The pressure detecting unit 111 is a pressure sensor. The pressuredetecting unit 111 detects the inner pressure of the accommodating unit100.

Pressure Adjusting Unit 90

The pressure adjusting unit 90 contains a flexible tube body 91, apressing member 92, a rack 93, a pinion 94 and a motor 95.

The tube body 91 is composed, of an elastically transformable materialsuch as rubber. The tube body 91 is mounted on the upper portion of theaccommodating unit 100. The tube body 91 is provided with an opening 96for air intake. The pinion 94 is mounted on an output shaft of the motor95. The pinion 94 is in mesh with the rack 93. To the rack 93 is fixedthe pressing member 92. Driving the motor 95 moves the pressing member92 in the direction as indicated by the arrow X, varying the size of theopening 96 of the tube body 91.

As shown in FIG. 3, a pressure controlling unit 180 receives a signalfrom the pressure detecting unit 111, a signal from the accommodationstate detector 112, and a signal from a foot switch 160. The pressurecontrolling unit 180 adjusts the size of the opening 96 by rotating themotor 95 on the basis of the signal from the pressure detecting unit111. This adjusts the pressure within the accommodating unit 100 to aset pressure. The pressure controlling unit 180 is connected to thevacuum pump 135.

OPERATION

The operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

As the foot switch 160 turns on, the vacuum pump 135 starts operatingand the pressure within the inside of the accommodating unit 100 becomesnegative. The materials 34 to be removed are led to the accommodatingunit 100 through the aspirating mouth portion 30 and the passage 8.

The pressure detecting unit 111 constantly detects the pressure withinthe accommodating unit 100 and keeps transmitting signals to thepressure controlling unit 180.

If the pressure within the pressure controlling unit 180 is differentfrom the set pressure, the accommodating unit 100 provides the motor 95with a control signal in order to correct the pressure within the unit180. Then the motor 95 starts moving the pressing member 92 on the basisof the signal and changes the size of the opening 96 of the tube body91, thereby changing the amount of air entering the accommodating unit100.

This permits the pressure within the accommodating unit 100 to be keptalways at the set pressure.

During suction of the materials 34 to be removed, the accommodationstate detector 112 determines that the amount of the materials 34 heldin the accommodating unit 100 has reached a set volume. On the basis ofa signal from the detector, the pressure controlling unit 180 gives analarm or stops operation of the vacuum pump 135 in order to prevent anoverflow of the materials 34 from the accommodating unit 100.

As a variant of Example 1, the tube body 91 may be located on a sideportion or a bottom portion of the accommodating unit 100, instead ofthe top portion thereof. For the pressure adjusting unit 90, a crankmechanism or the like may be employed although the rack 93 and pinion 94are employed therefor in this embodiment.

Example 2

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the pressure adjusting unit 190 is designedso as to press the pressing member 92 onto a side surface 99b of amember 99 having a spherical or cylindrical form.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the member 99 is disposed to close the opening196 of the accommodating unit 100. An opposite side 99a of the member 99is securedly fixed to the accommodating unit 100.

Referring then to FIG. 5, the member 99 is forcibly pressed by means ofthe pressing member 92. This allows the air to enter the accommodatingunit 100 through the opening 196.

The member 99 may be conveniently chosen arbitrarily from an elasticmaterial such as a water bag, air bag, a rubber and the like.

Example 3

FIG. 6 is a view of the accommodating unit 100 when viewed from the top.The member 199 is displaced so as to change the sectional area of theopening 196. The member 199 of FIG. 6 may be of a triangular, circularor square form.

Example 4

As shown in FIG. 7, the accommodating unit 100 is provided with anopening 296. The opening 296 comprises a tapered portion 296a and asmall-diameter portion 296b. A member 299 is shaped in a form so as tomate with the tapered portion 296a. By adjusting the degree to which themember 299 is brought into contact with or disengaged from the taperedportion 296a, the amount of the air to be passed through the opening 296can be changed.

It is to be noted, however, that the forms of the opening 296 and themember 299 are not restricted to the example as shown in FIG. 7.

Example 5

FIG. 8 is a view of the accommodating unit 100 when looked at from thetop. The accommodating unit 100 is provided with a large number of smallopenings 396. These openings 396 are disposed in a triangular area. Themember 399 is a plate which closes the openings 396. It is noted,however, that a disposition of the opening 396 is not restricted to sucha triangular area.

Example 6

Referring to FIG. 9, opening 496 of a member 499 is shown to comprise alarge-diameter portion 496a and a small-diameter portion 496b. Morespecifically, the large-diameter portion 496a is located on outsidewhile the small-diameter portion 496b is located on the inside of theaccommodating unit 100. This member 499 may be disposed so as to bepressed by means of a pressing member 493a. It is also possible that thesmall-diameter portion is located on the side of the air while thelarge-diameter portion is located o the side of the accommodating unitin such a manner that the large-diameter portion is pressed by means ofthe pressing member.

The driving unit 191 of the pressure adjusting unit 190 of FIG. 4,driving unit 291 of the pressure adjusting unit 290 of FIG. 6, drivingunit 391 of a pressure adjusting unit 390 of FIG. 7, driving unit 491 ofa pressure adjusting unit 490 of FIG. 8, or driving unit 591 of apressure adjusting unit 590 of FIG. 9 may be used as the mechanism shownin FIG. 2 or a mechanism similar to that as shown therein.

As a further embodiment, for instance, a tube may be disposed in such amanner that it projects from the accommodating unit and either of thepressure adjusting units as shown in FIGS. 4 to 9 may be mountedthereto.

The tube may be curved to change the width of its air passage by bendingor by other means.

As a valve, any of the pressure adjusting units of FIGS. 4 to 9 may bemounted on the passage 136 of FIG. 2.

Example 7

A description will be made with reference to FIG. 10.

An aspirator 501 is a device such that materials 34 to be removed in theeyeball 13 are aspirated by negative pressures.

Accommodating Units 600 & 601

The aspirator 501 is provided with first and second accommodating units600 and 601, respectively, each in a bottle form. The accommodatingunits 600 and 601 hold the removed materials 34. The first and secondaccommodating units 600 and 601 have substantially the same capacities.

The aspirating mouth portion 30 of the cutter 5 is communicated with afirst passage 508 and the first passage 508 is led through a top lid ofa first accommodating unit 600 to the inside thereof. The first passage508 is mounted with a first valve 509.

A second passage 588 is led from the bottom of the first accommodatingunit 600 to the inside of the second accommodating unit 601. At anintermediate portion of the second passage 588 is mounted a second valve710. A third passage 788 is led from the top lid of the secondaccommodating unit 601 to the vacuum pump 635. At an intermediateportion of the third passage 788 is mounted a third valve 720.

The first accommodating unit 600 is provided with a first accommodationstate detector 612 such as a liquid surface detector. The detector 612is designed to detect the liquid surface of the materials as they riseto a position indicated by "A1".

In the second accommodating unit 601 is mounted a second level detector622. This detector 622 detects the liquid surface of the removedmaterials 34 when it reaches a position as indicated by "B1."

A fourth passage 888 communicates the vacuum pump 635 with the firstaccommodating unit 600.

Pressure Reducing Unit 630

The pressure reducing unit 630 reduces the pressure within the firstaccommodating unit 600 to a constant vacuum pressure and, as necessary,also reduces the pressure within the second accommodating unit 601. Thepressure reducing unit 630 includes the vacuum pump 635, the third valve720, the third passage 788 and the fourth passage 888.

Pressure Detecting Unit 611

The pressure detecting unit 611 is a pressure sensor. The pressuredetecting unit 611 detects the inner pressure of the first accommodatingunit 600.

Pressure Adjusting Unit 590

The pressure adjusting unit 590 includes a cylindrical portion 594, amember 591, and a driving source (not shown). The cylindrical portion594 projects from the top lid of the first accommodating unit 600. Themember 591 adjusts the size of opening 596 by operating the drivingsource and, as a result, the amount of the air entering through theopening 596.

The pressure controlling unit 680 of FIG. 11 is provided with a signalfrom the pressure detecting unit 611, a signal from an operating unit660 such as a foot switch or the like, and signals from the first andsecond accommodation level detectors 612 and 622, respectively.

The pressure controlling unit 680 can adjust the size of the opening 596of the pressure adjusting unit 590 on the basis of the signal from thepressure detecting unit 611. The pressure controlling unit 680 furtherprovides operation signals for operating the vacuum pump 635 and thefirst, second and third valves 509, 710 and 720, respectively. Thevacuum pump 635, the operation unit 660 and the like are connected to anelectric source 645.

OPERATION

The operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

As the electric source 645 is turned on, the vacuum pump 635 startsoperating to evacuate the first accommodating unit 600 to vacuum throughthe fourth passage 888 of FIG. 10. At this time, the first valve 509 isclosed and the second valve 710 is also closed while the third valve 720is open and the member 591 of the pressure adjusting unit 590 becomesfull open.

As the foot switch of the operating unit 660 is turned on, suctionstarts. At this time, the first valve 509 is opened while the secondvalve 710 and the third valve 720 are closed. The size of the opening596 of the pressure adjusting unit 590 is changed to adjust the pressurewithin first accommodating unit 600 so as to correspond to the pressure(a given pressure) as indicated by the foot switch of the operating unit660 while detecting the pressure by the pressure detecting unit 611. Theremoved materials 34 enter the first accommodating unit 600 through thefirst passage 508 from the aspirating mouth portion 30.

Before the amount of the removed materials 34 in the first accommodatingunit 600 reaches the level as indicated by "A1", the foot switch isturned off (to stop aspirating), thereby closing the first valve 509while opening the second and third valves 710 and 720 and fully openingthe opening 596 of the pressure adjusting unit 590.

The removed materials 34 are transferred to the second accommodatingunit 601 from the first accommodating unit 600 through the secondpassage 588.

If the foot switch is turned on while the removed materials 34 are beingtransferred, aspiration starts again and operation of the aboveprocedures is repeated.

It is to be noted that, when the amount of the removed materials 34within the first accommodating unit 600 reaches the level as indicatedby "A1" as aspiration proceeds, a state is forcibly continued for a setperiod of time, in which the first valve 509 is closed as well as thesecond valve 710 and the third valve 720 are opened and the opening 596of the pressure adjusting unit 590 becomes full open, thus transferringthe removed materials 34 within the first accommodating unit 600 to thesecond accommodating unit 601.

When the set period of time has passed, an aspiration operation can beresumed by turning the foot switch on. As aspiration further proceeds,the amount of the removed materials 34 within the second accommodatingunit 601 reaches a level as indicated by "B1", then the second and thirdvalves 710 and 720, respectively, are forcibly closed.

The removed materials 34 reach both the A1 level of the firstaccommodating unit 600 and the B1 level of the second accommodating unit601 as aspiration is carried over a long period of time. Then the first,second and third valves 509, 710 and 720, respectively, are forciblyclosed while the opening 596 of the pressure adjusting unit 590 becomesfull open, whereby aspiration is suspended.

In Example 7, in place of setting such a period of time, it is alsopossible that aspiration operation can be resumed at the time when theliquid surface of the removed materials 34 is lowered to a given level.

Example 8

This example will be described with reference to FIG. 12.

An aspirator 1001 is a device capable of aspirating the materials 34 tobe removed the eyeball 13 by means of negative pressures.

Accommodating Units 1100 & 1102

The aspirator 1001 includes first and second accommodating units 1100and 1102, respectively, each in the form of a bottle. Each of theaccommodating units 1100 and 1102 is to accommodate the removedmaterials 34. The second accommodating unit 1102 has a capacity largerthan the first accommodating unit 1100.

The aspirating mouth portion 30 of the cutter 5 communicates with afirst passage 1008 which, in turn, reaches the inside of the firstaccommodating unit 1100 through the top lid of the first accommodatingunit 1100. A valve 1009 is mounted at an intermediate portion of thefirst passage 1008.

A second passage 1088 communicates with the inside of the secondaccommodating unit 1102 through a top lid thereof from a bottom lid ofthe first accommodating unit 1100. At an intermediate portion of thesecond passage 1088 is mounted a squeezing roller device 1200. Theroller device 1200 comprises a motor 1201 and a roller 1202. The rollermay be of conventional type.

A third passage 1188 is communicated with a vacuum pump 1135 from thetop lid of the first accommodating unit 1100.

The first accommodating unit 1100 is provided with a first accommodationstate detector 1112 such as a liquid surface detector. The detector 1112detects the liquid surface level of the removed materials 34 as thematerials 34 come to a level as indicated by "A2".

The second accommodating unit 1102 is provided with a secondaccommodation state detector 1122. The second detector 1122 is to detecta liquid surface level of the removed materials 34 as they come to alevel as indicated by "B2".

The second accommodating unit 1102 is further provided with a hole 1192passing therethrough to the air.

Pressure Reducing Unit 1130

The pressure reducing unit 1130 is to reduce the pressure within thefirst accommodating unit 1100 always at a constant vacuum pressure. Thepressure reducing unit 1130 includes the vacuum pump 1135 and the thirdpassage 1188.

Pressure Detecting Unit 1111

The pressure detecting unit 1111 is a pressure sensor. The pressuredetecting unit 1111 detects the inner pressure of the firstaccommodating unit 1100.

Pressure Adjusting Unit 1090

The pressure adjusting unit 1090 comprises a hole 1096 of the firstaccommodating unit 1100 and a member 1099 composed of an elasticmaterial. The member 1099 is provided with a tapered portion 1099a. Thetapered portion 1099a adjusts the size of the opening 1096. The member1099 is movable in both upward and downward directions by means of amechanism unit 1091.

To the pressure controlling unit 1180 of FIG. 13 is given a signal fromthe pressure detecting unit 1111, a signal from an operating unit 1160such as a foot switch or the like, and signals from the first and secondaccommodation state detectors 1112 and 1122, respectively.

The pressure controlling unit 1180 operates the mechanism unit 1091 onthe basis of the signal from the pressure detecting unit 1111, therebyadjusting the size of the opening 1096 of the pressure adjusting unit1099. The pressure controlling unit 1180 generates operation signals tothe vacuum pump 1135, the valve 1009, and the motor 1201.

The vacuum pump 1135, the operating unit 1160, and the motor 1201 areconnected to an electric source 1145.

OPERATION

As the electric source is turned on, the vacuum pump 1135 startsoperating. The first accommodating unit 1100 is reduced to vacuumthrough the third passage 1188. The valve 1009 is closed and the opening1096 of the pressure adjusting unit 1090 is fully opened. The rollers1202 are rotated by means of the motor 1201.

The first accommodating unit 1100 is at atmospheric pressure. As thefoot switch of the operating unit 1160 is turned on, aspiration starts.The valve 1009 is opened and the size of the opening 1096 of thepressure adjusting unit 1090 is altered so as to amount to a pressure (agiven pressure) indicated on the foot switch while detecting thepressure within the first accommodating unit 1100 by means of thepressure detecting unit 1111.

The materials 34 to be removed are held in the first accommodating unit1100 from the aspirating mouth portion 30 through the first passage1008. At the same time, as the squeezing rollers 1202 are rotating, theremoved materials 34 are transferred to the second accommodating unit1102 from the first accommodating unit 1100 through the second passage1088. At this time, as the foot switch is turned off, the valve 1009 isclosed and the opening 1096 is fully closed, thereby suspendingaspiration.

An amount of the removed materials 34 to be squeezed by means of thesqueezing rollers 1202 during aspiration is determined in advance suchthat the amount of the removed materials 34 to be transferred from thefirst accommodating unit 1100 to the second accommodating unit 1102 bymeans of the squeezing rollers 1202 becomes larger than the amount ofthe removed materials 34 to be accommodated in the first accommodatingunit 1100.

When the liquid surface of the removed materials 34 within the firstaccommodating unit 1100 reaches a level as indicated by "A2" on accountof failure of the device or for other reasons, the first accommodationstate detector 1112 is turned on to forcibly close the valve 1009, fullyopen the opening 1096 and stop operation of the motor 1201 rotating thesqueezing rollers 1202, suspending aspiration and giving an alarm.

When the liquid surface of the removed materials within the secondaccommodating unit 1102 reaches a level B2 during aspiration, the secondaccommodation state detector 1122 is turned on, closing forcibly thevalve 1009, opening fully the opening 1096, and stopping operation ofthe motor 1201 rotating the squeezing rollers 1202, thereby suspendingthe aspiration.

Fluctuations in pressures within the first accommodating unit 100 usingthe squeezing rollers can be avoided by means of the pressure adjustingunit 1090.

It is also possible to turn on o off the motor 1201 for the squeezingrollers by connecting it to the foot switch or to change the number ofits revolutions in combination with the pressure as indicated by thefoot switch.

As have been described hereinabove, the present invention permits aneasy adjustment of pressures within the accommodating units merely bycontrolling the size of the opening of the pressure adjusting unit. Thiscan simplify the structure and miniaturize the size of the aspirator.

Example 9

As shown in FIG. 14, the aspirator 2001 according to the presentinvention is mounted in a surgery apparatus for the vitreous body as oneexample.

In the surgery of the vitreous body, for example, an unclear portion ofthe vitreous body 2014 in a gel form (referred to herein as "removedmaterial 2034" and related terms) between the lens a and the retina b isremoved by suction and replaced by a clear liquid. This enables light toreach the retina b through the lens a, thus recovering one's sight.

A vitreous body surgery apparatus comprises the aspirator 2001, a cutterdriving unit 2002, a light source unit 2003, an infusion bottle 2004, acutter 2005 with a suction mechanism, a light guide 2006, and aninfusion plug 2007.

The cutter 2005 contains an insert portion 2005a. The insert portion2005a is to insert it into the eyeball 2013 through the sclera 2015 ofthe eyeball 2013. At the tip portion of the insert portion 2005a isprovided an aspirating mouth portion 2030. The cutter 2005 is designedto cut the materials 2034 which are inserted into its aspirating mouthportion 2030 and the cut materials 2034 are sucked into the aspirator2001 through the inside of the insert portion 2005a and a first passage2008.

To the cutter driving unit 2002 is connected a tube 2009 for compressedair. Through the tube 2009 is fed compressed air to the cutter 2005 andthe compressed air operates the cutter 2005 to cut and remove thematerials 2034. The light source unit 2003 emits light to the lightguide 2006 through an optical fiber 2011. A tip portion of the lightguide 2006 is inserted into the eyeball 2013 and the light guide 2006can provide a portion around the aspirating mouth portion 2030 withlight. The infusion bottle 2004 accommodates an infusion. The infusionis supplied to the inside of the eyeball 2013 through an infusion tube2012 and the infusion plug 2007. The infusion fills in the eyeball 2013in order to replace the removed materials 2034 which have been cut andremoved by suction, thereby recovering one's sight.

Aspirator 2001

The aspirator 2001 will be described more in detail with reference toFIG. 15.

The aspirator 2001 is a device to aspirate the materials 2034 to beremoved from the eyeball 2013 by means of a negative pressure.

Accommodating Units 2100-2102 and Air Reservoir 2300

The aspirator 2001 contains first, second and third accommodating units2100-2102, respectively, each in a bottle form, and an air reservoir2300. The accommodating units 2100-2102 accommodate the removedmaterials 2034. The first and second accommodating units 2100 and 2101have substantially the same capacities, and the third accommodating unit2102 has a capacity larger than each of those units.

The aspirating mouth portion 2030 of the cutter 2005 is provided at itsinside with a first passage 2008 and the first passage 2008 extends soas to pass through a top lid of the first accommodating unit 2100 to theinside thereof.

A second passage 2088 leads from the bottom of the first accommodatingunit 2100 to the inside of the second accommodating unit 2101 throughthe top lid thereof. At an intermediate portion of the second passage2088 is mounted a first valve 2210.

A third passage 2188 is led from the bottom of the second accommodatingunit 2101 through the top lid of the third accommodating unit 2102 tothe inside of the third accommodating unit 2102. From the top lid of thesecond accommodating unit 2101 is led a fourth passage 2330 to the airreservoir 2300.

The first accommodating unit 2100 is provided with first and secondaccommodation state detector, 2112 and 2113 respectively, such as aliquid surface detector. These detectors detect the liquid surface ofthe removed materials 2034 as it comes to a liquid surface level asindicated by "A" and "B", respectively.

The second accommodating unit 2101 is provided with a thirdaccommodation state detector 2123 which can detect the liquid surface ofthe removed materials 2034 as it comes to a liquid surface level "C".

The third accommodating unit 2102 is provided with a fourthaccommodation state detector 2123 which can detect the liquid surface ofthe removed materials 2034 as it comes to a liquid surface level "D".

First Pressure Adjusting Unit 2070

The first pressure adjusting unit 2070 includes a vacuum pump 2130, apipe 2120, a valve 2121, a pressure sensor 2111 and a lid 2106.

The pressure sensor 2111 measures the pressure within the firstaccommodating unit 2100. The vacuum pump 2130 reduces the pressurewithin the first accommodating unit 2100 through the pipe 2120. Thevalve 2121 is disposed at an intermediate portion of the pipe 2120.

The first accommodating unit 2100 is provided with a hole 2100b. To thehole 2100b is pressed the lid 2106. The lid 2106 is mounted on one endof a level 2104a. The other end of the level 2104a is mounted to a shaft2104c. A solenoid 2104 is mounted to a fixed portion 2104d. The shaft2104c of the solenoid 2104 is pulled in a direction toward a fixedportion 2104e by means of a spring 2105.

Second Pressure Adjusting Unit 2340

The second pressure adjusting unit 2340 is disposed at the air reservoir2300. The second pressure adjusting unit 2340 includes a vacuum pump2310, a compression pump 2320, valves 2321, 2322, 2323, pipes 2324,2325, 2326, and a pressure sensor 2315.

The vacuum pump 2310 for reducing pressures is connected through thepipe 2324 to the air reservoir 2300. The compression pump 2320 forincreasing pressures is connected through the pipe 2325 to the airreservoir 2300. At an intermediate portion of the pipe 2324 is mountedvalve 2321. At an intermediate portion of the pipe 2325 is mounted thevalve 2322. To the pipe 2326 is mounted the valve 2323. An end of thepipe 2326 is exposed to the air. The pressure sensor 2315 measurespressures within the air reservoir 2300 and within the secondaccommodating unit 2101.

Control System

The control system will be described with reference to FIG. 16.

To a controlling unit 2150 ar electrically connected the valves 2121,2321, 2322, 2323, pressure sensors 2111, 2315, first valve 2210, secondvalve 2220, and solenoid 2104.

The controlling unit 2150 is connected to an operating unit 2160. To thecontrolling unit 2150 are fed pressures detected from the pressuresensors 2111 and 2315. To the controlling unit 2150 is connected aninterface 2170. To the interface 2170 are connected first, second, thirdand fourth accommodation state detectors 2112, 2113, 2123, and 2133,respectively. To the interface 2170 is fed a signal indicating a liquidsurface level of the materials to be removed.

The vacuum pumps 2130 and 2310 and the compression pump 2320 receive aninstruction from the controlling unit 2150 through a pump driving unit2140.

Surgery of Vitreous Body

Description will be made with reference to FIG. 15.

An electric source is turned on and the vacuum pumps 2130 and 2310 areturned on and at the same time the compression pump 2320 is also turnedon.

The first valve 2121 is closed and the lid 2106 is opened (because thesolenoid 2104 is turned off). The valve 2321 is closed, the valve 2323is opened and the valve 2322 is closed. The first valve 2210 and thesecond valve 2220 are opened.

As the foot switch of the operating unit 2160 of FIG. 3 or the like isturned on as a signal to indicate the start of aspiration, the valve2121 is opened, the lid 2106 is closed, the first valve 2210 is closed,the second valve 2220 is closed, the valve 2321 is opened, and the valve2323 is closed.

This operation makes the pressure within the first accommodating unit2100 a negative pressure. Materials 2034 in the eyeball 2013 to beremoved are led from the aspirating mouth portion 2030 through the firstpassage 2008 to the first accommodating unit 2100.

When the pressure sensor 2111 detects that the pressure within the firstaccommodating unit 2100 has reached a given pressure during aspiration,the valve 2121 and the lid 2106 are closed.

If the pressure sensor 2111 has detected that the pressure within thefirst accommodating unit 2100 becomes higher than the given pressure,the valve 2121 is opened and the lid 2106 is closed. If the pressuresensor 2111 has detected pressure lower than the given pressure, thevalve 2121 is closed and the lid 2106 is opened.

The pressure within the second accommodating unit 2101 is detected bymeans of the pressure sensor 2315. If the pressure of the secondaccommodating unit 2101 reaches a given pressure (equal to or slightlylower than the pressure within the first accommodating unit 2100), thevalve 2321 is closed (while the valve 2323 is kept on being closed). Ifthe pressure sensor 2315 detects that the pressure within the secondaccommodating unit 2101 becomes higher than the given pressure, thevalve 2321 is opened (while the valve 2323 is kept closed). If thepressure sensor 2315 detects a pressure lower than the given pressure,the valve 2321 is closed and the valve 2323 is opened.

When the first accommodation state detector 2112 detects the fact thatthe amount of the removed materials 2034 within the first accommodatingunit 2100 has reached the level "A", the first valve 2210 is opened. Theremoved materials 2034 within the first accommodating unit 2100 are thentransferred through the second passage 2088 to the second accommodatingunit 2101. When the second accommodation state detector 2113 detects thefact that the amount of the removed materials 2034 within the firstaccommodating unit 2100 has reached the level "B", the second valve 2210is closed.

After the second valve 2210 is closed, the valve 2321 of the secondpressure adjusting unit 2340 is closed, the valve 2323 is closed, andthe valve 2322 is opened to lead the compressive air to the inside ofthe second accommodating unit 2101 through the air reservoir 2300. Thethird valve 2220 is also opened.

The removed materials 2034 within the second accommodating unit 2101 arecaused to be positively transferred to the third accommodating unit 2102through the third passage 2188 by means of the compressed air fedthrough the air reservoir 2300. If the third accommodation statedetector 2123 detects the fact that the removed materials 2034 withinthe second accommodating unit 2101 reach the level "C", the valve 2322is closed and the second valve 2220 is closed. In order to reduce thesecond accommodating unit 2101 to vacuum again, the valve 2323 is closedand the valve 2321 is opened.

It is to be noted, however, that, as the first accommodating unit 2100is kept reduced to a set value during a period of time up to thisprocedure, the materials 2034 within the eyeball 2013 can becontinuously directed to the first accommodating unit 2100 from theaspirating mouth portion 2030 through the first passage 2008.

After these procedures have been repeated, the foot switch or the likeis turned off to conclude the aspiration. If the aspiration is continuedand the removed materials within the third accommodating unit 2102 reachthe level "D", the aspiration is forcibly suspended and such isdisplayed.

Example 10

This example will be described with reference to FIG. 17.

What is different from Example 9 of FIG. 15 is that a valve 2400 isdisposed in place of the lid 2106 of Example 9 and its surroundingportion. The valve 2400 is mounted at an intermediate portion of thepipe 2120 and is to expose the inside of the first accommodating unit2100 to the air.

The valve 2400 serves as part of the first pressure adjusting unit 2170.Description on the other portions will be omitted herefrom because theyare the same as in Example 1.

It is to be noted herein that the present invention is not restricted tothe above examples. It is thus to be understood that each of theaccommodating units may be in a cylindrical form or in any other form.The third accommodating unit may be a flexible container. The thirdaccommodating unit may be a closed type as shown in FIGS. 15 and 17 orin a form in which its part is exposed to the air. Furthermore, it maybe a bucket having no top lid and may be merely placed so a to receivethe removed materials from the third passage.

The pressure adjusting unit 2070 may be a unit capable of adjustingpressures using a vacuum pump and a compression pump. In place of thevacuum pump, there may be used a device to create vacuum from thecompressive air.

The accommodation state detector may be a non-contact type sensor aswell as a contact type sensor. A flowmeter may be used for this purpose.

In place of the second accommodation state detector 2113, a timer may beused which counts the time required to allow a predetermined amount ofthe removed materials to drop.

In place of the fourth accommodation state detector 2133, there may beemployed one such that accommodation of a predetermined amount of theremoved materials can be presumed from a specified number of openings ofthe third valve 2220 by counting the number of its openings. If thethird accommodating unit is large enough, it is not necessarily requiredto mount the fourth accommodation state detector 2133. The second andthird valves 2210 and 2220, respectively, may be each a balloon or thelike. By changing a size of the balloon, the pipe may be closed oropened.

In place of the third accommodation state detector 2123, the amount ofthe removed materials within the accommodating unit may be controlled bymeans of time.

In the examples as have been described hereinabove, although the vacuumpump is separately used in the first and second pressure adjustingunits, one vacuum pump may be shared by them.

As the pressure of the compressed air from the compression pump 2320 issufficient, there may be disposed a regulator or a small hole betweenthe compression pump and the air reservoir.

In the above-mentioned examples, the compression pump 2320 and thepressure sensor 2315 may be connected directly to the secondaccommodating unit 2101.

Without using the compression pump, the removed materials may bedesigned to drop by means of their own weight from the secondaccommodating unit onto the third accommodating unit

The second pressure adjusting unit 2340 may be disposed directly at thesecond accommodating unit without passage through the air reservoir.

The accommodation state detector may be of the type as will be describedhereinbelow.

(A) As shown in FIG. 18, a floating material X may be used. Using aforce of the floating material X left suspended by means of the removedmaterials 2034, a microswitch or a lead switch SW may be turned on oroff.

(B) Using light, the amount of the removed materials accommodated may bechecked by means of light refraction, reflection, a change of luminousenergy or the like.

(C) The amount of the removed materials accommodated may be check bymeans of a variation in weights.

In the above-mentioned examples, the lid of the first pressure adjustingunit 2070 may be opened or closed by means of the solenoid. However, thelid may be opened or closed by means of a motor or the like.

As only the first and second accommodating units of smaller capacitiesmay be set at a given pressure required for aspiration, the timerequired for suction may be shortened compared with the time to berequired for suction of the accommodating unit of a larger capacity.

Example 11

FIG. 19 shows an aspirator of Example 11 according to the presentinvention. The aspirator 3001 comprises a vacuum controlling unit 3002,a materials-passage opening/closing unit 3003, a main body 3005 of theaspirator 3001, and one aspirating cassette 3004 mounted detachably onthe main body 3005.

The vacuum controlling unit 3002 and the materials-passageopening/closing unit 3003 are disposed within the main body 3005.

Vacuum Controlling Unit

The vacuum controlling unit 3002 includes a vacuum pump 3006, a pressureadjusting unit 3007, a passage 3008, and a passage 3009. The passage3008 is interconnected to the vacuum pump 3006 and the pressureadjusting unit 3007 and feeds reduced air from the vacuum pump 3006 tothe pressure adjusting unit 3007. The pressure adjusting unit 3007produces air having a set pressure by means of an instruction from apressure setting unit (for example, a foot switch (not shown)). Thepassage 3009 is open at its one end and is connected at its other end tothe pressure adjusting unit 3007 in order to feed the air of givenpressure produced by the pressure adjusting unit 3007 to its open end.

Materials-Passage Opening/Closing Unit

The materials-passage opening/closing unit 3003 includes a solenoid3010, an iron core 3011, an L-shaped arm 3012, a spring 3013, and aStopper 3014.

The iron core 3011 is inserted in the solenoid 3010 and is disposed soas to be pulled into the solenoid 3010 as the solenoid 3010 is turnedon. To the iron core 3011 is mounted the L-shaped arm 3012 and theL-shaped arm 3012 is always urged by means of the spring 3013 in adirection in which the iron core 3011 is pulled out of the solenoid3010.

A flexible tube 3020 of the aspirating cassette 3004 is disposed betweenthe stopper 3014 and the L-shaped arm 3012 and, as the solenoid 3010 isturned on by means of a signal, the iron core 3011 is pulled into thesolenoid 3010 and, at the same time, it causes the L-shaped arm 3012 topress the flexible tube 3020.

This arrangement enables a closure of passage of the removed materials3021 through the flexible tube 3020 by squeezing the flexible tube 3020by means of the L-shaped arm 3012 and the stopper 3014 as shown in FIG.20.

As a signal is given to release the closure, the L-shaped arm 3012 andthe iron core 3011 are forcibly returned to their original positions bymeans of the spring 3013, thus allowing passage of the removed materials3021 through the flexible tube 3020.

As has been described hereinabove, the materials-passage opening/closingunit 3003 opens or closes a passage of the removed materials 3021 withinthe flexible tube 3020 of the aspirating cassette 3004 through theflexible tube 3020.

Aspirating Cassette

The aspirating cassette 3004 comprises a bottle 3022, an aspiratingmouth portion 3023, the flexible tube 3020, a tube 3024, a connectingportion 3025 and a bottle head 3026. The aspirating cassette 3004 ismounted detachably to the main body 3005 of the aspirator 3001. As theaspirating cassette 3004 is mounted to the main body 3005, part of theflexible tube 3020 is located at a position interposed between thestopper 3014 and the L-shaped arm 3012 of the materials-passageopening/closing unit 3003 and the connecting portion 3025 is connectedto the open end of the passage 3009 of the vacuum controlling unit 3002.

Bottle

The bottle 3022 accommodates the removed materials 3021 and isinterconnected to each one end of the flexible tube 3020 and the tube3024. To the other end of the tube 3024 is connected the connectingportion 3025 to pass vacuum adjusted by the vacuum controlling unit 3002and convey it to the bottle 3022. To the other end of the flexible tube3020 is connected the aspirating mouth portion 3023. The aspiratingmouth portion 3023 is connected to the cutter 3031 located within theeyeball 3030 through a connector 3033 and a line 3034. The cutter 3031is provided with the aspirating mouth 3032 through which the removedmaterials 3021 are aspirated from the eyeball 3021. The removedmaterials 3021 may be, for example in the form of an unclear vitreousbody.

Although the bottle 3022 is closed by means of the bottle head 3026, thebottle head 3026 is detachable. The tube 3024 and the flexible tube 3020are disposed in this bottle head 3026.

Operation of Aspiration

The operation of aspiration will be described with respect to FIGS. 19and 20.

The aspirating cassette 3004 is mounted o the main body 3005 of theaspirator 3001 and the connector 3033 of the cutter 3031 is attached tothe aspirating mouth portion 3023 of the aspirating cassette 3004. As anelectric source of the main body is turned on, the vacuum pump 3006 isturned on and the solenoid 3010 of the materials-passage opening/closingunit 3003 is also turned on to squeeze the flexible tube 3020 of theaspirating cassette 3004.

As the foot switch or the like is turned on and aspiration starts,reduced air arranged by means of the pressure adjusting unit 3007 is fedthrough the passage 3009 to the bottle 3022. At the same time, thesolenoid 3010 is turned off to allow passage through the flexible tube3020. The removed materials 3021 in the eyeball 3030 are then suckedfrom the aspirating mouth 3032 of the cutter 3031 and conveyed to thebottle 3022 through the tube 3034, the connector 3033, the aspiratingmouth portion 3023 and the flexible tube 3020.

In order to suspend aspiration, the foot switch or the like is turnedoff, thereby turning the pressure adjusting unit 3007 to atmosphericpressure and feeding the atmospheric pressure to the bottle 3022 and, atthe same time, turning the solenoid 3010 on to squeeze the flexible tube3020 to thereby close the passage of the removed materials 3021therethrough and suspend the aspiration.

When a detector (not shown) detects the fact that the bottle 3022 isfilled with the removed materials 3021, the solenoid 3010 is forciblyturned on to squeeze the flexible tube 3020 regardless of the state inwhich the foot switch or the like is turned. At the same time, thebottle 3022 is turned to atmospheric pressure by means of the vacuumcontrolling unit 3002, thereby suspending aspiration forcibly.

As has been described hereinabove, passage or suspension of the passageof the remove materials 3021 can be carried out within the main body3005 without applying force to the bottle 3022 and the bottle head 3026.Accordingly, no risk is incurred that the aspirating cassette 3004 willbe detached from the main body 3005.

Example 12

FIG. 21 shows an aspirator 3101. The aspirator 3101 includes a vacuumcontrolling unit 3102, a main body 3105, materials-passageopening/closing units 3131-3133, a pressure controlling unit 3180, andan aspirating cassette 3104. A vacuum pump 3106 of the vacuumcontrolling unit 3102, a pressure adjusting unit 3107, and thematerials-passage opening/closing units 3131-3133 are operated insubstantially the same manner as in Example 1. The vacuum pump 3106 andthe pressure adjusting unit 3107 are connected to a passage 108.

The pressure controlling unit 3180 includes a compression pump 3181, apressure adjusting unit 3187, and passages 3188, 3189, and 3190.

The passage 3188 is interconnected between the vacuum pump 3106 and thepressure adjusting unit 3187 and the passage 3189 is interconnectedbetween the compression pump 3181 and the pressure adjusting unit 3187.The passage 3190 is connected at its one end to the pressure adjustingunit 3187 and its other end is an open end. Although the pressurecontrolling unit 3180 works in substantially the same manner as thevacuum controlling unit 3102, air with reduced pressure flowing from thevacuum pump 3106 to the passage 3190 within the pressure adjusting unit3102 is replaced by compressive air of the compression pump 3181 andflows in place thereof as a certain signal comes. As the signal isreleased, the pressure adjusting unit works as the vacuum controllingunit 3102 and reduced air flows.

As a structuring element of each of the materials-passageopening/closing units 3131-3133 has substantially the same structure asthe materials-passage opening/closing unit 3003 of Example 11, they areprovided with the same reference numerals with suffixes a, b, and c.

The aspirating cassette 3104 is provided with bottles 3200 and 3201,each having substantially the same capacity, and with a bottle 3202having a capacity larger than each of the previous ones.

A flexible tube 3221 connects the bottle 3200 to the bottle 3201. Aflexible tube 3222 connects the bottle 3201 to the bottle 3202. Acontrolling portion 3191 of the passage 3190 is connected to a tube3250. The controlling adjusting unit 3107 is connected to the vacuumpump through the passage 3108. A controlling portion 3125 of the passage3109 is connected to a tube 3251.

Each of the bottles 3200-3202 is provided with each of bottle heads3300-3302, respectively.

The flexible tube 3220 of the bottle head 3300 is disposed to passbetween an L-shaped arm 3012a and a stopper 3014a of thematerials-passage opening/closing unit 3131. The flexible tube 3221 ofthe bottle head 3301 is disposed so as to pass between an L-shaped arm3012b and a stopper 3014b of the materials-passage opening/closing unit3132.

A flexible tube 3222 of the bottle head 3302 is disposed so as to passbetween an L-shaped arm 3012c and a stopper 3014c of thematerials-passage opening/closing unit 3133.

An aspirating mouth portion 3223 of the flexible tube 3220 is connectedto a cutter 3031 through a connector 3033 and a tube 3034.

Operation of Aspiration

When the aspirating cassette 3104 is mounted to the main body 3105 ofthe aspirator, the flexible tube 3220 is located between the L-shapedarm 3012a and the stopper 3014a, the flexible tube 3221 between theL-shaped arm 3012b and the stopper 3014b, and the flexible tube 3222between the L-shaped arm 3012c and the stopper 3014c, as well as theconnecting portion 3125 is connected to the open end of the passage 3109and the connecting portion 3191 is connected to the open end of thepassage 3190.

The connector 3033 of the cutter 3031 is mounted to the aspirating mouthportion 3223 of the aspirating cassette 3104. When an electric source ofthe aspirator is turned on, the vacuum pump 3106 and the compressionpump 3181 are turned on and the solenoids 3010a to 3010c of therespective materials-passage opening/closing units 3131 to 3133 areturned on, thereby squeezing the respective flexible tubes 3220 to 3222.

When aspiration starts as the foot switch or the like (not shown) isturned on, air with its pressure reduced by means of the vacuumcontrolling unit 3102 is supplied through the passage 3109 to the bottle3200 and the bottle 3200 is reduced to vacuum. At the same time, thebottle 3201 is reduced to vacuum so as to cause a vacuum pressure lowerthan the vacuum pressure within the bottle 3200 by means of the pressurecontrolling unit 3180. Furthermore, at the same time, the solenoid 3010ais turned off so as to allow the flexible tube 3220 to passtherethrough.

The removed materials 3021 within the eyeball 3030 are removed throughthe aspirating mouth 3032 of the cutter 3031 and conveyed to andaccommodated in the bottle 3200 through the tube 3034, the connector3033, the aspirating mouth portion 3223, and the flexible tube 3220.

When a signal comes at this time from a detector (not shown) mounted tothe bottle 3200 such that the bottle 3200 is filled with the removedmaterials 3021, the solenoid 3010b is turned off to allow them to passthrough the flexible tube 3221 and to convey the removed materials 3021within the bottle 3200 to the bottle 3201.

When a signal comes from a detector (not shown) mounted to the bottle3201 when the bottle 3201 is filled with the removed materials 3021, thesolenoid 3010b is turned on to squeeze the flexible tube 3221 and, atthe same time, the solenoid 3010c is turned off so as bring the flexibletube 3222 into a state in which the removed materials pass therethrough.At the same time, as compressed air is brought into a state that it canflow from the pressure controlling unit 3180, the removed materials 3021within the bottle 3201 are conveyed to the bottle 3202 by means of aforce of compressed air. At this time, as the bottle 3201 becomes empty,the solenoid 3010c is turned on to squeeze the flexible tube 3222. Atthe same time, the pressure controlling unit 3180 reduces the bottle3201 to vacuum at a pressure lower than the vacuum pressure of thevacuum controlling unit 3102.

In order to stop aspiration, the foot switch or the like is turned offto change the pressure of the vacuum controlling unit 3102 intoatmospheric pressure, thereby turning the bottle 3201 to atmosphericpressure. The pressure of the pressure controlling unit 3180 is likewiseturned to atmospheric pressure. At the same time, the solenoid 3010a isturned on to squeeze the flexible tube 3220, thereby closing passage ofthe removed materials 3021 and consequently suspending aspiration.

As the bottle 3202 becomes full, the solenoids 3010a and 3010c areforcibly turned on to squeeze the respective flexible tubes 3220 and3222 regardless of the ON state of the foot switch or the like. At thesame time, pressures of the bottles 3200 and 3201 are turned intoatmospheric pressure by means of the vacuum controlling unit 3102 andthe pressure controlling unit 3180, thereby forcibly suspendingaspiration.

The present invention may encompass the following modes within the scopethereof.

The materials-passage opening/closing unit may be one in which an aircylinder, a motor or the like is used, in addition to one in which asolenoid is employed.

On top of the type in which the flexible tube is squeezed to closepassage of the removed materials, there may be used a type in which theflexible tube is bent, blocking passage thereof.

When the flexible tube is squeezed blocking passage of the removedmaterials, it may be squeezed by pressing the arm from multipledirections on top of the pressing from one direction.

When the aspirating cassette is mounted, the flexible tube is located ata position between the arm and the stopper. As the aspirating cassetteis mounted, the flexible tube may be located at the materials-passageopening/closing unit by picking the flexible tube by means of a robothand or other means.

The aspirating cassette is not restricted to one or three bottles and itmay be another number of multiple bottles.

The positions of the arm and the stopper for squeezing the flexible tubeare not restricted to those as shown in FIGS. 19 and 21, and they may bedisposed to squeeze the flexible tube in a direction perpendicular toeach other.

In place of the flexible tubes 3020, 3220, 3221, and 3222, there may beused one in which only a portion of the tube may be formed by a flexiblematerial and the rest may be formed by a non-flexible material. Theflexible portion may be located between the stopper 14 and the L-shapedarm 3012.

As a conveyance of the removed materials within a flexible passage inthe aspirating cassette can be carried out or suspended merely by meansof the materials-passage opening/closing unit in the aspirator,regardless of aspirating vessels. Thus, as no force is applied to theaspirating vessels, there is no possibility that the vessels are causedto be inclined or detached from the aspirator portion so that thesurgery can be carried out with safety.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is particularly useful for aspirating materials tobe removed from the eyeball and ensures a safe surgery.

We claim:
 1. An adjustable pressure aspirator comprising:aspiratingmeans for removing material by aspiration; a receiving vessel connectedto said aspirating means, said receiving vessel having an interior forcollecting the material removed by aspiration; vacuum means forproducing a vacuum pressure within said receiving vessel; pressuredetecting means for detecting said vacuum pressure within said receivingvessel; a vent for connecting the interior of said receiving vessel withatmosphere external to said vessel, said vent having an opening ofvariable size; and pressure control means for controlling the vacuumpressure within the interior of said receiving vessel to maintain aconstant pressure by adjusting the size of said opening, responsive tosaid detected vacuum pressure.
 2. An adjustable pressure aspirator inaccordance with claim 1 wherein said vent has elastic wall means fordefining said opening and wherein said pressure control means adjustssaid sides of said opening by pressing against said elastic wall means.3. An aspirator in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a manualswitch for setting said constant pressure at a desired level.
 4. Anaspirator in accordance with claim 3 wherein said manual switch is afoot switch.
 5. An adjustable pressure aspirator comprising:aspiratingmeans for removing material by aspiration; a first receiving vesselconnected to said aspirating means, said first receiving vessel havingan interior for collecting the material removed by aspiration; a secondreceiving vessel having an interior for collecting the material removedby aspiration, said interior of said second receiving vessel havingsubstantially the same capacity as said interior of said first receivingvessel; a first passage for transferring the collected material fromsaid first receiving vessel to said second receiving vessel; a valvemounted in said first passage for opening or closing said first passage;vacuum means, interconnected between said first and second receivingvessels, for establishing a vacuum within said first and secondreceiving vessels; pressure detecting means for detecting pressurewithin said first receiving vessel; a vent for connecting the interiorof said first receiving vessel with atmosphere external to said firstreceiving vessel, said vent having an opening of variable size; andpressure control means for controlling the vacuum within said firstreceiving vessel at a constant pressure by adjusting the size of saidopening, responsive to said detected pressure.
 6. An adjustable pressureaspirator in accordance with claim 5 wherein said vent has elastic wallmeans for defining said opening and wherein said pressure control meansadjusts said sides of said opening by pressing against said elastic wallmeans.
 7. An adjustable pressure aspirator comprising:aspirating meansfor removing material by aspiration; a first receiving vessel connectedto said aspirating means, said first receiving vessel having an interiorfor collecting the material removed by aspiration; a second receivingvessel having an interior for collecting material removed by aspiration,said interior of said second receiving vessel having a capacity largerthan said interior of said first receiving vessel; a first elasticconduit for passage of the collected material from said first receivingvessel to said second receiving vessel; constricting means forrepeatedly constricting said first elastic conduit to convey thecollected material through said first elastic conduit; vacuum means forestablishing a vacuum within said interior of said first receivingvessel; pressure detecting means for detecting pressure within saidinterior of said first receiving vessel; a vent for connecting theinterior of said first receiving vessel with atmosphere external to saidfirst receiving vessel, said vent having an opening of variable size;and pressure control means for controlling the vacuum within said firstreceiving vessel at a constant pressure by adjusting the size of saidopening, responsive to said detected pressure.
 8. An adjustable pressureaspirator in accordance with claim 7 wherein said vent has elastic wallmeans for defining said opening and wherein said pressure control meansadjusts said sides of said opening by pressing against said elastic wallmeans.
 9. An aspirator for removing material by vacuum comprising:afirst receiving vessel for collecting the material removed by vacuum; asecond receiving vessel for collecting the material removed by vacuum; athird receiving vessel for collecting the material removed by vacuum,said third receiving vessel having a capacity larger than said firstreceiving vessel and larger than said second receiving vessel; anaspirating instrument for applying the vacuum to the material to beremoved; a first passage for conveyance of the removed material fromsaid aspirating instrument to said first receiving vessel; first vacuummeans for producing a vacuum within said first receiving vessel; secondvacuum means for producing a vacuum within said second receiving vessel;a second passage, separate from said first passage, for conveyance ofthe collected material from said first collecting vessel to said secondcollecting vessel; a first valve provided within said second passage foropening or closing said second passage; a third passage, separate fromsaid second passage, for conveyance of the collected material from saidsecond receiving vessel to said third receiving vessel; and a secondvalve provided within said third passage for opening or closing saidthird passage; whereby a pressure within said second receiving vesselnot higher than the pressure within said first receiving vessel willcause conveyance of the collected material from said first receivingvessel to said second receiving vessel and wherein a pressure withinsaid second receiving vessel higher than the pressure within said thirdreceiving vessel will cause conveyance of the collected material withinsaid second receiving vessel to said third receiving vessel, throughsaid third passage.
 10. An aspirator in accordance with claim 9additionally comprising a first level detector for detecting the levelof material collected within said first receiving vessel;a second leveldetector for detecting the level of material collected within saidsecond receiving vessel; wherein said first valve opens responsive todetection of a predetermined level within said first receiving vessel toallow the collected material to transfer to said second receiving vesselthrough said second passage; wherein said first valve closes responsiveto the detected level within said first receiving vessel falling belowsaid predetermined level.
 11. An aspirator in accordance with claim 9further comprising:first pressure detecting means for detecting pressurewithin said first receiving vessel; and wherein said first vacuum meansis responsive to said pressure detected by said first pressure detectingmeans to maintain a substantially constant vacuum within said firstreceiving vessel.
 12. An aspirator in accordance with claim 11 furthercomprising second pressure detection means for detecting pressure withinsaid second receiving vessel; andwherein said second vacuum meansadjusts the degree of vacuum within said second receiving vesselresponsive to the pressure detected by said second pressure detectionmeans.
 13. An aspirator for removing material by vacuum, said aspiratorcomprising:a plurality of receiving vessels for collecting the materialremoved by vacuum; vacuum means for establishing a vacuum within eachsaid receiving vessel; a housing for each said vacuum means, saidreceiving vessel being detachably mounted to said housing; an aspiratingtool for applying said vacuum to the material to be removed; a pluralityof conduits, each of said conduits having, at least a portion which iselastic, for conveying the removed material from said aspirating tool tosaid receiving vessel; and constricting means, mounted within each ofsaid housings, for limiting flow through each of said conduits bydeformation of said elastic portion.
 14. An aspirator in accordance withclaim 13 wherein said constricting means includes a manual switch, asolenoid valve operative in response to said manual switch and a plungerin contact with said flexible portion and movable by said solenoidvalve.
 15. An aspirator in accordance with claim 14 further comprising alevel detector for detecting a predetermined level of collected materialin each said receiving vessel and for generating a full signalresponsive to detection of each said predetermined signal, saidconstricting means being responsive to said full signal by closing eachsaid respective conduit.